2009 Annual Meeting
SLPOA
ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
June 13, 2009
Call to Order: President Jim Ebert called the meeting to order at
10: 06 am. Jim welcomed all to the meeting on a beautiful day. He
then introduced all of the present board members to the membership.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Don Herron to approve the
draft minutes from the 2008 annual meeting and 2nd by John Stoebe.
The Motion Carried.
Auditor’s Report: Jody Shaw and Don Herron completed the audit on
June 2 and confirmed that the books are in order. A motion to accept
the audit report was made by Marvin Kropp and 2nd by Carolyn Herron.
The motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Gary Grossweiler reported on the state of the
Treasury. The current check book balance is
$ 5,248.36 as of June 8, 2009.
124 members prepaid and 14 members paid today for a total of 138
paid membership.
A motion to accept the treasures report was made by Bob
Dimitrijevich 2nd by Don Herron. The motion carried.
Presidents Report: Jim Ebert gave a summary of what we can expect to
hear from the committees and the guest speaker regarding the great
quality of our lake water.
He shared his feelings regarding Star Lake and the love he has for
this lake. He is becoming more aware that Star Lake is becoming a
“target” lake ….people that want to live on a good lake think it is
a super lake for fishing and boating recreation.
Star Lake is coming under more pressure for recreation and fishing.
We are under a challenge to preserve our water quality and
fisheries. The challenge for us on Star Lake is to protect our lake
status in the realm of the rising pressures.
Do we continue doing what we are doing or do we become more
proactive?
Regarding the DNR - new rules and regulation are made usually in the
winter; the board is aware of this and pays close attention to all
of this.
If you are concerned about your lake Please become involved - water
safety, DNR meetings, Board meetings, invasive aquatic species watch
are all areas that can you volunteers. Jim stated that we all need
to do the right thing to protect and guard our lake.
Nominating Committee: Members of the nomination committee were
Brenda Ebanks, Roger Eckert and Glen Shaw. Brenda Ebanks introduced
the nominees Dave Kaser, Stu Peterson and Noah Riley.
Election of Directors: A motion was made by Roger Eckert and
seconded by Doris Champlain to approve a unanimous ballot for the
three candidates, Motion approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Fisheries: Jim Ebert – A graph report, regarding the state of the
fisheries was included in the hand out.
Lake Preservation & Protection: Arlette Preston – The committee is
responsible for monitoring the state level and resources to help
with erosion and invasive species,
They are currently meeting with the shoreline specialist to help
with the erosion problem on the East shoreline
Water Quality: Carolyn Herron - this is our 11th year of membership
in COLA and doing water testing.
Phosphorus count is improving. Secci Disc - we are also improving in
clarity.
We are doing well keeping our lake on an improving line!
The one scary thing is invasive aquatic species “curly leaf pond
weed” We do NOT have it currently, but Big Pine Lake does have it.
They have spent over $20,000.00 trying to eradicate this weed.
It is one of the first weeds in the spring to pop up. Carolyn had
several samples showing the difference between Native Pond Weed and
Curly Leaf Pond weed.
Curly Leaf Pond Weed - mats up on the lake and then steals oxygen
and creates phosphorus in the lake. It also takes from the good
plants that are needed to support the lake and our fisheries. The
seeds are formed in what are called “Turions” that lie in the bottom
of the lake and carry the seed to spring for future plants.
All of the lake testing information can be found at www.rmbel.info –
click on lakes info.
Water Safety: Duane Salberg wanted to THANK all of the volunteers
who helped put out the buoys – including Noah Riley, John Richards,
Lee Mindemann, and Duane Salberg.
Web Site: Aubrey Ebanks – Told everyone that we have had more
“hits”, but the website is still under utilized. He would like
peoples input on what they would like to see on the website.
We currently have the board of directors listed, links to the DNR,
local weather, OTC Website, RMB website, GIS, Meeting minutes, and
other articles.
One Question was asked regarding being able to have a Forum (where
people can post information or ask questions) on the website. Aubrey
will check on this.
Guest Speaker: MN DNR Invasive Species Specialist or Aquatic
Biologist – Nathan Olson. He has recently moved into this area from
Ortonville, MN where he worked for the MN DNR.
Nathan had a presentation regarding Invasive Aquatic Species. An
Invasive species is a non native plant or animal that has been
introduced, or moved, by human activities to a location where they
do not naturally occur. These species can potentially cause economic
and ecological problems.
The fastest way to spread Invasive Species is by human activity,
boats, people, bait buckets etc. Animals, Waterfowl, and Birds also
move invasive species but the DNR can take action to control the
human factor, but not the animal factor.
Examples:
Curly Leaf Pond Weed - It is not native to MN, it is in the area. It
can NOT be eradicated it can only be controlled.
Eurasian Water Milfoil - (12 -21 leaflets per leaf) there are no
lakes in Ottertail County with this particular weed.
Flowering Rush - is in the Pelican River Chain, Lake Melissa and
Detroit Lakes, It looks similar to Bull Rush until it flowers. It
can grow in water up to 9’ deep.
These are all very PROLIFIC WEEDS
Zebra Mussels are in Mil Lacs and Prior Lake in Scott County. They
attach to everything, boats, docks, lifts, water pipes, intake pumps
and other clams, they cover beaches. They are small, but Zebra
patterned 1 ½ - 2”, they are from Russia originally.
Purple Loosestrife – There are Beetles available that will eat this
plant and keep it under control.
Spiny Water Fleas – Rainy River and the Great Lakes both have these.
It eats Zooplankton and disturbs the food chain.
Asian Carp – (Silver, Big Head and Grass) these fish can fly (jump)
and cause physical harm. They can also eliminate all of the other
fish in your lake. The main form of transportation is thru bait.
What You Can Do: Plants and water must be removed from your boats
and trailers. Don’t jump from lake to lake with out draining all of
the water and plants from your bait, watercraft and trailer. Rinse
your boat in very hot water or dry it out for at least 5 days.
What Lake Associations Can Do – Put up invasive species signs at
accesses, distribute pamphlets, public presentations, lake
monitoring, use the media to advertise draining and picking off
weeds. You can pay for say 100 hours of inspection and the DNR will
match it. You can privately hire someone, or have volunteers – the
DNR will train thru their volunteer program.
There is a Civil Citation for Invasive Species Transportation.
DNR Responsibility – establish a program to curb the species,
provide help to the lakes and its constituents. Provide assistance
to commercial uses.
There are Grant Programs available to help with Invasive Species:
1. Prevention Grants for water craft inspections and public
awareness projects.
2. Early Detection and Rapid Response Grant – for Eurasian Milfoil
and Flowering Rush only.
3. Pilot Project Grant – for Curly Leaf Pond Weed and Eurasian Water
Milfoil. This is for a long term reduction of invasive species and
increase native plants. There must also be a plan to increase water
clarity and decrease phosphorus.
Star Lake has no obvious invasive species at this time.
Questions:
Can Milfoil be controlled biologically? – Not at this time.
Will the DNR provide signage for private accesses? Yes they will.
Are the Public Access signed for invasive species? They should be
and the DNR will provide them.
Questions and Discussion: Time was provided for questions from the
membership.
Dick York made a statement regarding the Big Island – The property
owner has asked that people are more respectful of his private
property.
If we do get an invasive species – how will we pay for it? Jim Ebert
addressed the question that the board is investigating this and will
have more information for the membership this winter and spring.
What about spraying for the worms? The SLPOA no longer sprays for
the worms …because when they did spray not all people paid for their
part of the spray.
Can anything be done regarding getting a legal opinion stopping
fishing tournaments that may bring invasive species into the lake?
If the DNR knows that there is a tournament they will do
inspections.
Outgoing Director Recognition: On behalf the board of directors and
the Lake Association Jim Ebert recognized Gary Grossweiler and Ruth
Kapaun for their time and service to the Board and the Lake
Association.
Adjournment: A motion to adjourn the business meeting was made by
Bob Dimitrijevich and Rick Spickard, the Motion carried. The annual
membership meeting adjourned at 11:45pm. A broasted chicken dinner
catered by the Galaxy Restaurant was served to members and guests.
Respectfully submitted,
Barb DeVillers-Eckert
SLPOA Secretary
Dave and Karen Kaser 218-758-
Organizational Meeting
SLPOA Board Meeting 6-13-09 after annual meeting.
Jim Ebert called the meeting to order at 11:52 am
Duane Salberg made a motion to dispense with ballots and go to a
voice vote for the board elections the motion was second by Harvey
McMahon and the motion carried.
The following positions were elected by unanimous decision.
President - Jim Ebert
1st Vice President – Harvey McMahon
2nd Vice President – Arlette Preston
Treasurer – Stu Peterson
Secretary - Barb Eckert
The next meeting will be Monday, July 13, 2009 7pm at the Lions Club
in Dent
11:57 adjournment with a motion from Arlette Preston and 2nd from
Stu Peterson
Respectfully Submitted
Barb DeVillers-Eckert
SLPOA Secretary